Gilmartin happy with coach's input
Walsall goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin has praised Mick Kearns' influence as goalkeeping coach but admits he has 'gone backwards' this season.
The Saddlers' community manager has been helping Gilmartin, along with Clayton Ince, Tom Cox and James Belshaw.
The goalkeepers have been without a coach since Eric McManus left in November, meaning Ince has taken training.
But Gilmartin concedes he hasn't progressed quick enough this season, after McManus departed in cost cutting measures.
The second-choice said: "Having Mick in is a massive bonus. Clayton does try to help me out but, with all due respect to him, I'm fitter than Clayton and I'm ready to do more.
"Mick came in, did a session, we got beasted and I loved it.
"But I was looking at myself thinking 'I've gone backwards' and it's not nice to know four weeks before the end of the season.
"I looked at myself and said I used to do this stuff really easily. With Eric gone I felt my progression had slowed down."
The 21-year-old insists he has enjoyed working closely with Ince, but realises because Ince is 36-year-old he is unable to do as much as him.
He said: "I like Mick, he dedicates himself as well. He does work at the club and doesn't have a lot of time but he's willing to come down to work with me for an hour or two.
"That's the best thing."
